Drug allergy Referral Access Criteria

Referrers should use this page when referring patients to public adult immunology outpatient services for drug allergy.
Emergency referral
If any of the following are present or suspected, refer the patient to the emergency department or seek emergency medical advice if in a remote region.
  • Current symptoms of anaphylaxis
  • Airway compromising angioedema
Immediate referral
Orange exclamation mark in triangle: orange alertImmediately contact on-call registrar or service to arrange immediate immunology assessment (seen within 7 days):
  • Nil

To contact the relevant service, please see Clinician Assist WA: Immunology requests (external site).

Clinical indications for outpatient referral
If any of these issues are present, refer to outpatient services through the Central Referral Service (CRS).
  •  Clinically significant drug allergy
Mandatory information
Referrals missing 'mandatory information' with no explanation provided may not be accepted by site. If 'mandatory information' is not included, the explanation must be provided in the body of the referral (e.g. patient unable to access test in regional or remote areas or due to financial reason).

This information is required to inform accurate and timely triage. If unable to attach reports, please include relevant information/findings in the body of the referral and advise where (provider) investigation/imaging was completed.

 History
  • Relevant history, onset, duration, severity, and nature of symptoms (e.g. anaphylaxis, angioedema, urticaria, details of any urgently required treatment)
  • Drug(s) ingested
  • History of relevant medications that are tolerated (e.g. antibiotics in the context of suspected antibiotic allergy)
 Examination
  • Nil
 Investigations
  • Nil
Highly desirable
History
  • Drug dose(s)/duration before onset of anaphylaxis
  • Current medication list
Examination
  • Nil
Investigations
  • FBC
  • U&E
  • LFT
  • Mast cell tryptase
  • Spirometry (if patient asthmatic)
Indicative clinical urgency category

Category 1

Appointment within 30 days

  • Drug allergy assessment with urgent clinical need for clarification (e.g. SJS/TEN, DRESS, AGEP)

Category 2

Appointment within 90 days

  • Recent Anaphylaxis to an avoidable agent e.g. drug allergy
  • Other non-Anaphylaxis immediate (<4 hours) allergy

Category 3

Appointment within 365 days

  • Drug allergy where no immediate requirement for exposure exists
  • Non-immediate, non-anaphylactic allergy
Exclusions
Useful information

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Last reviewed: 05-07-2024